CAMPAIGNERS opposed to nuclear weapons and power say questions must be asked over the safety and cost of waste from disused nuclear submarines being stored at Capenhurst.

Last week the plant - on the Wirral/Cheshire border - was one of five across the UK to be identified by the Ministry of Defence as potential sites to store the waste, with consultation due to take place later this year.

The sites, which are either owned by the MoD or the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, have been named as part of a major submarine dismantling project.

Merseyside Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) said the announcement raises questions and concerns including: how the material will be safely transported, whether roads will have to be upgraded, who will be responsible for maintenance of storage areas and how much it will cost the taxpayer.

A spokesman said: “The prospect of radioactive material being kept at Capenhurst will no doubt worry those in the local community.

“What will happen to this waste once it has been realised there is no safe place it can be moved to?

“This proposal clearly shows the link between nuclear weapons and nuclear power, both of which present a great danger to us all.”

In a statement last week, Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, Philip Dunne, said: "This is another step towards a safe and sustainable solution for the disposal of radioactive waste from our submarine fleet.

"All of the potential sites have a proven track record in handling radioactive material in a safe and secure way.

"We are committed to an open and transparent process and over the next year we will be working closely with local communities near to the potential sites as part of the consultation before a final decision is made."

Capenhurst is on the shortlist along with Sellafield in West Cumbria, Atomic Weapons Establishments at Aldermaston and Burghfield in Berkshire, and Chapelcross in Dumfriesshire.

Comments (7)

Wirral will be glowing even brighter in the dark if this goes ahead. Aint we got enough Irish sea radio active pollution from Sellafield. Additionally I wouldn't trust Wirral Clowncil to oversee the safe transportation of a gallon of diesel on our roads never mind tons of radio active waste.

Wirral will be glowing even brighter in the dark if this goes ahead. Aint we got enough Irish sea radio active pollution from Sellafield. Additionally I wouldn't trust Wirral Clowncil to oversee the safe transportation of a gallon of diesel on our roads never mind tons of radio active waste.Llamedos 1

CAPENHURST is in CWAC council authoriies area, nothing to do with wirral, thankfully, but it is a nuclear licenced site, eg heavy security , armed police and more, nuclear waste has to be stored somewhere as of today nobody has found a way to get rid of the stuff, eg you cant recycle it into car bumbers or cuddly toy fillings like plastic can..

CAPENHURST is in CWAC council authoriies area, nothing to do with wirral, thankfully, but it is a nuclear licenced site, eg heavy security , armed police and more, nuclear waste has to be stored somewhere as of today nobody has found a way to get rid of the stuff, eg you cant recycle it into car bumbers or cuddly toy fillings like plastic can..steady cyclist

I am aware Capenhurst is in CWAC but dependent on the road route it could possibly come through Wirral via Miserytravels tunnels. More probable it would come via the M56 in which case thank the lord WBC would not be involved at all

I am aware Capenhurst is in CWAC but dependent on the road route it could possibly come through Wirral via Miserytravels tunnels. More probable it would come via the M56 in which case thank the lord WBC would not be involved at allLlamedos 1

Oh! My God. I thought the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament had gone the way of Clause 4. How it all comes flooding back. Bertrand Russell Aldermaston, Bruce Kent, or was it Willis, Michael Foot, Greenham Common, Trafalgar Square, marches, protests, riots, heady , heady days. CND asks, with furrowed brow and deep seated concern "......how the material will be safely transported?" Are these idiots serious? What do they imagine they do, chuck it on the back of a low loader, cover it with a tarp, tell the driver not to go too fast in case it blows away? Will the roads have to be upgraded? Nuclear waste has been transported around the UK by road and rail since the 1950s, so I think they're well on top of the problem, same with maintenance and storage, so go back to sleep. Blimey, oh dear, I've just had a phone call from a contact in the MOD, WBC may be involved after all. They've asked if the council can line the spare brown garden wheelie bins with lead, and if the price is right, they may be able to find a use for them.

Oh! My God. I thought the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament had gone the way of Clause 4. How it all comes flooding back. Bertrand Russell Aldermaston, Bruce Kent, or was it Willis, Michael Foot, Greenham Common, Trafalgar Square, marches, protests, riots, heady , heady days. CND asks, with furrowed brow and deep seated concern "......how the material will be safely transported?" Are these idiots serious? What do they imagine they do, chuck it on the back of a low loader, cover it with a tarp, tell the driver not to go too fast in case it blows away? Will the roads have to be upgraded? Nuclear waste has been transported around the UK by road and rail since the 1950s, so I think they're well on top of the problem, same with maintenance and storage, so go back to sleep. Blimey, oh dear, I've just had a phone call from a contact in the MOD, WBC may be involved after all. They've asked if the council can line the spare brown garden wheelie bins with lead, and if the price is right, they may be able to find a use for them.Dantealighieri

Your opinion but I dont want nuclear waste anywhere near me no matter how safe you, government or anyone else tells me it is. Just ask the residents who have been living around Sellafield if they are fit and well. Sarcastic jerk.

Your opinion but I dont want nuclear waste anywhere near me no matter how safe you, government or anyone else tells me it is. Just ask the residents who have been living around Sellafield if they are fit and well. Sarcastic jerk.Llamedos 1